Asia gets in the backseat of the car next to Zay, while Zay's friend is driving and his girlfriend is in the passenger seat.

"This my girl, Asia. Asia this is Nick and Jasmine" says Zay.

Asia butts in, "and as in "girl" he means "friends". We're not together. It's nice to meet y'all".

Zay smiles and shakes his head as he looks out the window. "yea that", he says.

Jasmine and Sean chuckle and say "hey".

Asia looks out the window and her mind begins to wander as she thinks about her mom. Zay looks over at her and taps the side of her thigh. She comes back to reality and looks at him. "Yes?"

He whispers, "you good? You been looking sad lately, and don't lie to me and say you aren't because I know you." He looks at Asia with the "I'm not dumb look".

"I don't know Zay. Don't wanna talk about it right now", Asia says softly.

"Later?", Zay responds. "Because you too pretty to be looking the way you do".

Asia looks with confusion as she tries not to smile. "are you trying to flirt with me?", Asia asks.

"Nah, just speakin the truth", Zay answers.

- - - -

Asia and Jasmine are sitting down talking while waiting for Sean and Zay to come back with the food.

"So how long have yall been together?", Asia asks Jasmine.

Jasmine responses and says, " six months".

"Aw", Asia smiles.

Zay and Sean are in the chic-fil-a line, talking.

"She fine as hell", Sean said while looking at you. "You hit that yet".

"Nah", Zay responded. "She ain't like that."

"or yo game lack as fuck", Sean laughs.

"ha ha ha, so funny", Zay says with a normal face.

"shit somebody needs to hit that, she been looking depressed the whole night", Sean said as he turned to order Jasmine and his food.

"Chill out dawg", Zay says.

- - - -

Asia and Zay are dropped off back home and it's around 10 p.m.

"Asia, can you tell me now?", Zay asks in concern.

"That's the thing, I don't know what to tell you", Asia says in aggravation. "My mom... I have this feeling that something is not right. she's sick...like sick, sick."

"Well if she hasn't told you anything, maybe it's just a little flu or something. Mama Carter is a strong woman, I am pretty sure it is nothing", Zay explained.

"Yea, I told myself that one too. It doesn't work" Asia said softly while looking down.

Asia's mom opens the door and looks outside. Asia and Zay look at her as she waves at Zay.

"Hey, Miss Carter", Zay waves and smiles. "Goodnight Asia, see you tomorrow"

"Night", says Asia as she walks to the house and her mom shutting the door behind her.

"I remember when Zay was so short and funny looking" she smiles. "he's a little cutie now. Maybe you should- "

Asia interrupts by saying, "mom what's wrong with you?"

Her mom looks with confusion.

"You don't look the same, you don't breath the same, your skin color, everything!" she yells.

Her mom looks down. "Asia, sit down", she says calmly.

Asia sits down.

Her mom sits down next to her and begins to talk. "I've been meaning to tell you this, but I couldn't see you down... I um.. I have cancer and unfortunately, I'm not going to make it"

Asia stands up in anger. "What?!", she yells. "No, we are going to fix this. People can survive from this and you will be the one that does!"

"shhh shh shh. You're going to wake your sister up", she says as she sits Asia back down. "now listen, it is too late for anyone to get this cancer out of me. I'm sorry Asia but I'm not going to make it. We don't even have the money for treatment, let alone the insurance."

Tears begin racing down Asia's eyes.

Asia's mom begins to hug her but she's pushed away.

"You lied to me. You walked around here every day, and lied to me! you said nothing! Were you going to wait until you were dead and gone to let me know something? Mom, I have nobody but YOU, me and Nicole have nobody to go to!" Asia yelled in frustration.

"Asia, Nicole has somebody to go to.  A strong young woman. You do have somebody, you have something. A big brain filled with education and street smarts. You're strong. Hell, you know how to raise Nicole." Asia mom said.

Asia looks down. "I can't do that by myself mom", she said.

"You can, and God will be with you, just like he was for me. I'm sorry Asia... I'm sorry" She says as she hugs her.

- - - -

The next day at school, Asia didn't talk to anyone. She was so mad from last night that she couldn't do anything but think. "I had so much planned for myself. College, dating, getting a car, so much. Now I'm about to struggle with a five-year-old on my side".

Jayla sits next to Asia at the table. "What's wrong best friend?"

Asia tells her about the situation with her mom and how she will have to take care of Nicole on her own.

Jayla reacts to the story in shock. "Oh shit. Asia, I am so sorry girl. You guys can stay with me."

Asia responses and says, "no. you have enough people in your house already. I'll find a way, I still have time".

Jayla has five more siblings and she lives in a three-bedroom house. She has more than enough people there already.

Jayla responses and says, "hell yeah, you right."

Asia continues to talk, "I got this. Whatever challenges come my way, I'm ready. I've learned enough from my mom to do this and I will. I don't wanna be a burden to anyone, me nor my sister. I wanna make a way on my own."

Jayla gets up as she starts to head to the line for lunch. "You're right, you're strong. But everyone needs help every once and a while, you can't do it on your own". Jayla walks away.